What's with "pl*co"?

[Charise]

I've noticed a lot of people on here, and other websites, use a * in place of the "e" in Pleco...what's the deal?

[Sploke]

I read someplace that its a superstition thing, that if you spell out "pleco" then your pleco will die so people spell it pl*co. No idea how that got started though.

[Dangerdoll]

that's about the size of it

[dreadboy113]

I agree with sploke. IT was reported websites several years back that when they used the word "plecos" their plec died. Don't know if its real or not. Barbie might know more on this subject.

[feemia]

Huh. I never heard of that before, so I did a search.

From planetcatfish.com

"With the advent of email, the internet and particularly newsgroups, aquarists at all levels began talking about their plecos with an interesting side effect. According to online lore, an incident occurred when someone discussed their pleco in a newsgroup and the fish promptly died. The discussion group surmised there was an online curse and the pl*co superstition was born. The belief is that if your star out the "e" in pleco when you write pleco, then your beloved suckermouth will be delivered from all aquatic evils."

http://www.planetcatfish.com/shanesworld/shanesworld.php?article_id=175

http://www.aquariacentral.com/fishinfo/fresh/pleco.shtml

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-1722.html

[Charise]

hmm...interesting...but since I don't believe in that superstition, I will call him "Pleco". lol. Actually, I need help IDing my 2, I got the pics but still can't find my USB to hook it up!!! Grr...

[BigFishKeeper]

Pleco is better! I don't like pl*co.

[Lupin]

Fear for the name increases fear for the thing itself.:) Always use the proper name, Charise. The superstitions are illogical and mere coincidence.

[Barbie]

The superstitions are also quaint and a fun bit of history, IMO. I have the censor on fishaholics set to do it automatically, the same as it is at planet catfish. It's just a tradition at this point, not anything you need to throw over your shoulder or cross your fingers about ;).

Barbie

[toddnbecka]

Planetcatfish also censors out "cichlid" automatically. Same reason?

[Barbie]

PC censors cichlid automatically as a poke at people that would discuss cichlids on a catfish site, hehe. Just another bit of humor though, definitely!

Barbie

[toddnbecka]

Ah, I suspected that was the case, never heard of the pleco superstition though.
In any case, many or most folks who keep mid-size or larger species of catfish house them with cichlids. Compatability questions are very common, so naturally cichlids are going to be part of the discussion.

[beeZer350]

This is just about the dumbest thing I have ever heard.

[Dwarf Puffers]

This is just about the dumbest thing I have ever heard.

I have to agree with BZer here. I've called my clown pleco a pleco for the whole time I've had him. By the way, pleco pleco pleco.

And censoring "cichlid" on a site? Seems kind of pointless. Why not censor "tetra", "barb", "gourami", etc.

[Barbie]

It's like most jokes. If you don't get it, noone can explain it to you!

Barbie

[wataugachicken]

it's just Murphy's Law. . . as soon as you tell someone about what nice fish you have, it'll get sick or die just to tick you off and make you look bad.

[Squawkbert]

Unrelated word filter amusement:

from a gamers' forum (Battleground Europe):

hello------->hecko
document----->dobody fluidment
circumstance ---->cirbody fluidstance
cockpit------>chickenpit (you know, where the pilot sits - in the planes featured in the game?)

[beeZer350]

pleco pleco pleco pleco pleco pleco pleco pleco pleco pleco pleco pleco pleco pleco

[Hooked Newbie]

I have a Pleco named Placo. Am I doubly cursed?! :lipssealedsmilie:

[Lansirill]

And censoring "cichlid" on a site? Seems kind of pointless. Why not censor "tetra", "barb", "gourami", etc.

Because people who keep -those- fish aren't even worthy of ridicule.

[Hooked Newbie]

Because people who keep -those- fish aren't even worthy of ridicule.

:mad2: :nutkick:

[Dwarf Puffers]

Because people who keep -those- fish aren't even worthy of ridicule.

Seems you wanted some rasboras yourself, Lans :devil: